AI Skills for the UK Workforce

The recently launched AI Skills for the UK Workforce report provides the first comprehensive, sector-based analysis of national AI skills needs, highlighting challenges and opportunities for workforce readiness.

Drawing on insights from over 150 experts across government, industry, and academia, the report identifies critical technical, non-technical, and responsible AI skills required to drive sustainable growth. It proposes actionable pathways to bridge the AI skills gap through employer-led, inclusive, and regionally balanced training models that align with the UK’s industrial strategy and economic growth ambitions.

Join the IoD Surrey and Berkshire Branch as we present findings from AI Skills for the UK Workforce: A Sector-Based Analysis for Workforce Readiness, developed in partnership with Skills England and funded by The British Academy.

We’re especially delighted to present this content to the IoD community as the author of the report is none other than our Surrey and Berkshire branch Ambassador for Research Dr Nisreen Ameen. The report received support from The British Academy Policy-Led Innovation Fellowship award and was in collaboration with Skills England. Input from different areas and sectors helped shape the workshops designs and findings.

We’ll introduce the AI Skills Tools Package, comprising the AI Skills Framework, Adoption Pathway Model, and Employer Checklist, which offers practical guidance for identifying skills gaps, assessing workforce readiness, and planning inclusive, responsible AI training.

The session will explore how these tools support ethical and transparent AI adoption, empowering organisations to enhance innovation capacity and ensure that AI benefits are shared widely across sectors.

The takeaways you’ll get from attending this briefing include:

• Understand key findings from the UK’s latest national AI skills analysis.
• Learn how the AI Skills tools package: AI Skills Framework, Adoption Pathway Model, and Employer Checklist can support your organisation’s AI readiness journey.
• Explore practical approaches for employers building inclusive and responsible AI upskilling strategies.